KAREN TYLER & VALERIE JOHNSON 
as the
TEXICALI DIVA'S
KAREN TYLER & VALERIE JOHNSON
as the
TEXICALI DIVA'S
It’s not often in this "Super Size My Fries!" world, that both quality and quantity exist in the same package. When you do find it, it’s so rare that you get a sense that you have won and won big. Well, pop the cork and cut the cake because you’ve won the jackpot with Valerie Johnson and Karen Tyler as the Texicali Divas. These two talented blues belters, whether playing as an acoustic duo or with a full band, put out some of the sauciest blues, gospel, Texas swing and traditional jazz going. The Texicali Divas, put together by request of the board members of the Live Oak Music Festival, have proven to be real crowd pleasers. Whether performing for festivals, concerts, benefits or teaching workshops at elementary schools, these two vibrant women seem to have the stuff to put smiles on faces and rhythm in the hands, feet and hearts of their fans.
Karen Tyler, a Texas transplant, brings to the party a beautiful and athletic voice, solid acoustic guitar playing and award winning songwriting talent. She’s become well known for the vivid stories she tells as introduction to her songs. These goodhearted, witty tales act as a road map of a life set to music. At the time of this writing Ms. Tyler and her latest "Alone & Blue" CD, are #1 on the WorldMusicCharts.com blues chart and have been for the past three months. Ms. Tyler was also voted in the top 6 acoustic blues artists in the nation in the Delta Snake Blues News reader’s poll. In addition to opening for John Lee Hooker, John Mayall and Ann Rabson, Tyler has toured the U.S. and made quite a mark for herself. She has enjoyed international airplay and CD sales and has been the "#1 Selling Artist of All Time" since 1997 at Local Flavor and it’s affiliate distribution company Indy Austin Artists, Texas’ leading independent music exporter.
Valerie Johnson is a Grade "A" blues vocalist. Not only does she belt the blues with the power and conviction of Koko Taylor, Etta James and Janis Joplin put together but, she has actually been hired as the vocalist for Janis’ band; Big Brother & the Holding Company. One of the busiest women in the blues business, Valerie also sings with the Creole Syncopators (New Orleans jazz,) the Golden Eagle Jazz Band (traditional jazz) as well as the Texicali Divas and Val’s own band, The Blues Doctors (Roots Blues and R&B.) Valerie has toured Europe with the Bitburg Gospel Messengers and regularly plays jazz and blues festivals on the West Coast. She’s shared the bill with Charlie Musslewhite, Sista Monica, and James Cotton and has excelled in introducing the central California coast to it’s very first Blues for Kids project. Ms. Johnson is a fireball entertainer and front person and the repartee between she and Karen Tyler make for a party atmosphere from the pulpit to the fairgrounds to the classroom and onto the concert stage.
THE BAND
The Texicali Divas‘ band is the real deal. It’s true blue "American Music", as Gatemouth Brown would say. The band fills out with "Al B. Blue" Ingram (Val’s husband) on guitar and banjo and Fred Murray (Karen’s husband) on bass and lap steel. When called for, Greg Barnes joins the group on drums. Swampy, funky, rootsy, steeped in experience and at the top of their game this group is as good as it gets. The band is available for performances in California and weekend performances throughout the United States.
THE OFFER
TEXICALI DIVAS - DUO:
Valerie Johnson and Karen Tyler available for festivals, concerts, clubs and Blues For Kids performances in the U.S. and WORLDWIDE.TEXICALI DIVAS - TRIO: Valerie Johnson, Karen Tyler & Al B. Blue Ingram, available for festivals, concerts, clubs and Blues for Kids. U.S. and WORLDWIDE (Short term)
TEXICALI DIVAS - QUARTET: Valerie Johnson, Karen Tyler, Al B. Blue & Fred Murray; available for festivals, concerts and clubs in the U.S.
TEXICALI DIVAS - BAND; Valerie Johnson, Karen Tyler, Al B. Blue, Fred Murray and Greg Barnes; available for performances in the San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Monterey County located in California.
CONTACT INFO: Valerie Johnson, PO Box 678, Nipomo, CA 93444 (805) 489-1311
Email: Al. B. Blue or Rocket Cat Music